Meet Harley, an English black lab. He belonged to a very close friend of mine who just had to put him down this past Tue. The poor fella was ill with cancer and his quality of life had dwindled to near nothing. What a very, sad, sad day/week this has been for his family & friends =(

This dog, like so many others, was very unique! His fav past time, when he wasn't sleeping, was to literally carry a very large, black tire around in his mouth with his two front legs inside it as he walked. This brute could even carry a tire coming out of the water while it's filled to the brim! When he'd get tired of carrying it, he'd lay it down and begin his routine of circling around and around it while licking the tire walls, making them shine as good as any armor all could!

Harley also loooooved to play fetch! When his 'daddy' wasn't throwing his favorite, soggy, slobbery tennis ball for him to chase, he'd throw, not a stick, but a thick branch, as thick as someone's lower leg! Much like this one in my drawing. And we're not talking 1 or 2 ft in length either. It was more like 5 or 6 ft long usually! His daddy would throw it into the Chattahoochee River here in GA and Harley would swim out to get it and bring it all the way back to dad. When he was finally tired of that, he'd lay down in the edge of the water and begin to make mincemeat out of it! That's what he was doing the day this photo was taken, this past summer.

Harley was a 'huge statement' in his family and among his family's friends, who will be missed more than anyone will ever realize! I wanted to do something special for my friend, his 'mommy' so when I found this picture, I decided I'd pour everything possible into this drawing! Even while sick, since I came down with something yesterday =(. It's all worth it tho.....I will have this printed and framed for my friend =)
Although a very challenging drawing, I enjoyed drawing it more than I knew I would!

What a beautiful piece all around, Elly. Fantastic work technically but the best part is how you have managed to get his personality to shine through. Just wonderful. I got word that our friends lost their dog a couple weeks ago and am planning to do a memorial picture and story for them, too. It leaves such a hole in your life when you lose a beloved pet. My heart goes out to Harley's family. Hope you feel better soon, too.

Thank you kindly, Teapot. I appreciate you commenting but even more so, I appreciate the 'quality' of your comment =) I hope you get a chance to draw the memorial. I know that family would really love it! You tend to want to hold on to everything you can of your pet (family member!) when they pass on.

Thanks Sunny! He had a very wonderful life, altho it was short. He was 9 yrs old. My son is VERY fond of him and I haven't had the heart to tell him because I know it would break his!! Harley was also VERY good friends with our dog, bizmarc. (Harley was rather picky about the dogs he would hang with...we felt privilaged that he loved our dog!)

Very touching! My mother in law also has a black lab, he's just as adorable. I love the memories you wrote down of him.. and of course how you drew it, the wet coat really looks wet, but what is drawn just as good is the log.

Good job, I look after a black lab called potter. He used to be a guide dog but now he's retired after his owner sadly passed away. I've never met a black lab I disliked, they all have such nice personalities.

That's a great compliment coming from you, flubs =) thanks. What a privilage to look after potter! I completely agree that they all have nice personalities! They are an awesome breed! My 'Bizmarc' is half black lab and half whippet. Very cool body structure and line....gotta get a good pic of him to draw! Thanks again!

You mean Whippet on steroids!!!!!! O_O lol! For some reason I thought Whippets had ears that stood straight up (where labs are lying flat on the sides of their head) (yah, all kinds of jokes in that sentence huh?)

Beautiful dog.......It's very heartbreaking when you have to "put down" one of your doggy friends,,,,,,I know how it feels to lose one. I also worry about my german shepherd......he's 7 yrs old now, and I can't stand the thought of when it comes time for him to pass over the "rainbow bridge"......I don't know how I'm gonn be able to deal with that. Anyways.....this is a beautiful tribute to a very special dog.......:)

Thank you, fire =) I LOVE G. Shepherds!!! We had one when i was a teen, Megan was her name =) Her mother was a white german shepherd and her father was a (wild) Illinois wolf! You should've seen the rib cage on that beauty!!! She was VERY protective! We never worried about strangers. I should try to locate some pic's of her to see if any are 'drawing worthy' ....when the time comes, fire, you'll be able to deal with it...7 is still fairly young..he should have much more time with you yet =)

I would love to see you do a pic of your german shepherd (Megan)......I bet she was absolutely beautiful. I once had a pure white german shepherd named "Fritz".....that was back in the 70's. I also had a solid black german shepherd that was part timber wolf.....his name was "Lobo". Both those dogs have crossed over the "Rainbow Bridge".....they were very special, and I'll always have memories of them. I hope you decide to do a draw of "Megan".....I'd love to see it. I hope my german shepherd (Zack) will be around for many more years.....he's the "doggy" love of my life.....he looks like "Rin Tin Tin".

Yes.....they were both gorgeous dogs.....unfortunately, I don't have any pics of the white shepherd, but I do still have his AKC papers.....he was a purebred white german shepherd. I do have some pics of my black shepherd,,,,,,I didn't have AKC papers for him because he wasn't a purebred.....he was 3/4 german shepherd and 1/4 timber wolf, They were awesome dogs. I'm glad you remember "RinTinTin"......my "Zack" looks a lot like him. German shepherds are my favorite breed of dogs. I do hope you can find a photo of your dog "Megan"......I'd love to see you do a draw of her....I bet she was awesome!

Elly, you have done a marvelous job as always. How sad this dog has passed away. These things tug at the heart hard. However, knowing what a great life he had with the owners is a reward in itself. To know how much they loved him and I'm sure he knew and felt it too. A pet can be such a wonderful friend who stands by us through everything and loves us unconditional. Maybe we have something to learn from them. Beautiful fur and coloring on your drawing. I love how the drawing shows the happiness he had.

Thank you so much, maria! I love your comment as it is very well put, and SO true! I know how much you love dogs yourself! Yes you could tell that Harley was a very happy dog with a very unique personality and loyalty. We miss him greatly! I'm hoping the family will get another dog in the near future =)

This is just gorgeous elly....I love the fur and the gums and the teeth and everything else about it..you are a true talent and inspiration..
p.s..thanks for checking on me last week at fb..I really appreciate it cause it's been tough for me lately...love you.

fire, I have to agree with you on that one! The greatest creation tho I have to say, is US! =)
BMW!!!! Great to see you up and about! I got a bit worried about you! Glad to know you got my inquiry! Thank you for the compliment =) You made my day! I hope things level out for you soon! Stay in touch girly! Luv u2!!

I think our planet is beyond ruined.......there are some things that will never be fixed.....and I don't want to start to list everything that is wrong, because I would be here all day......the list just goes on and on and on......and new disasters happen everyday somewhere in our world......:(

Thank you, Miss DJ & Shults =)
Axil, you got a point there.....never thought about that..hmmmm ..I wonder if those mini tire dog toys I'm seeing in the stores are made out of the same thing?? They sure seem to be lke real tire rubber...interesting..

OOh BMW, sweetie. I had no idea!! My heart goes out to you and ur family as I know how hard it is to lose a family member!!! And u had Fat Girl since 96! Wow! What sort of breed was she?? I am SO very sorry for your loss =(

Thank you elly..I bought her for my son as a playmate when he was 4 months old...that was 16 years ago..she was part chow part black lab..she used to be all black but you can see where she was going grey around the mouth ..we miss her terribly...

Oh I know you do miss her. That's such a long time! My dog has the white fur coming in around his snout and tummy along with a few other places ;p Maybe it's time you got a puppy for YOU this time instead of ur son!! Hang in there my friend, it'll get a little better with time =) ((((HUGS))))

that is a wonderful picture,so expressive,real,and you just can feel her.Sigh--I want to get a dog,an adult,like a Lab,or shepard,or a mix,from my local shelter,and this picture makes me want to do it,again;I'm not sure I could take care of a big dog,adult,right now,but they make such great companions,buddies,I bet you really do miss her.Wonderful memorial,dear. I prob. will get one,this doggie just makes me want one so like her. thanks!!!